The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-04-04

tea with u.s."
"But IL he shonld burn the house
down smoking them2" anxiously sug-
gested her mother.
"Well, perhaps it's safer to give him
+ something to use his matches with"
answered Maud, with u mastery
stroke OF logic. "And they always
do have Matches" she concluded, IN
definitely. Her reasoning carried the
day. so the cigars went up ana the
rope came down, for this was point
Oh which Maud was firm. She had no
/ intention OF leaving that rope IN their
burgarious visitors possession.
The evening waned, and still there
was no sign OF Peters return. The
two ladies did not dream OF sleeping,
but kept watch throughout the night
in the room adjoining that OF their
prisoner, bracing themselves with
strong tea for their task. 1t was
weary work however, and the minutes
crept slowly into the small hours.
The hall clock Just struck the quar-
ter before when the silence oil the
house was disturbed by little sound
which seemed preternaturally loud to
their strained ears. Mrs. Esta.
brook sat erect to listen, while Maud
turned up the glimmering lamp.
Again came the sound slight but dis
tinct. scratch, scratch-file, file.
"Maud, what is that noise?" said
Mrs. Estabrooke, with the calmness
OF despair. Maud declined to commit
herself prematurely
MAUD" said her mother again,
otis down at the piazza window. It's
its a confederate OF that man III
there o, don't tell me! | know"
Maud frowned thoughtfully. Her
mothers idea was only too plausibls.
Hell get in and let the other
one out" pursued Mrs. Estabrooke,
breathlessly; land then go through
the house, and rob and murder us
all. 0 dear Oh-hl"
Don't mamma dearl pray don 81"
entreated Maud, rs the poor lady,
overwhelmed by her own picture,
showed signs OF becoming hysterical,
aud uttered several small screams.
Upon this, the occupant OF the next
room, who hitherto had given no sign
OF life, began to knock on the door be.
tween the two chambers. Maud drew
near, and the following conversation
took place:
"Miss Estabrookl"
"Yes."
excuse me, but is anything wrongs"
Maud hesitated. Mrs. Estabrook
meantime had checked herself and was
holding her breath to listen. Recelv.
ing no answer he presently spoke
again.
"What is that noise / hear down.
stairs?"
1--WE don't know" said Maud; "but
-"
"But what? Is that what is alarm
ing your" -.
Maud considered. ave are afraid
it is IA burglar"
"Whatl Another" exclaimed the
stranger Then he checked himself.
Don't you think you'd better send
me to dispose of him?" he suggested,
with an admirable assumption OF the
boldness OF innocence.
Maud" sharply protested Mrs.
Estabrook.
zone moment mamma" reioined
her daughter. al am not sure" She
turned to the door again. you are
quite certain he is not an-an-an-
assistant OF yours?" she asked, in the
politest terms she could select.
"Let me out, and you shall see. Up
on my honor" Here the words were
lost in stlhed sound.
"Is the man laughing" demanded
Mrs. Estabrook, in angry amaze;
then, as new suspicion entered her
mind. "Maud, do you believe he is
exactly in his right mind?"
81 don't think he can be-" Maud an.
swered, doubtfully; but seeing her
mothers growing alarm she fastened
to add, "but we evidently have GER
tain control over him, and-really
mamma, don't know but it would
be better to let him drive the other
away. No, but hear me out. They
can't be accomplices, and il we must
be in the power of either, why, ! would
much sooner trust this one. He is far
superior to ordinary burglars" con,
Guided Maud, with a fine air Of
connoisseurship in this particular
branch OF the dangerous classes.
Her opinion. as usual, prevailed
and their prisoner was informed that
if he would not move until n given
time he should be released. As he
readily agreed to the conditions, the
girl stole out into the passage, turned
the key very softly, and then flew back
into her own room, which she
locked in hot haste. Here she knocked
on the inner door, and at the appoint
ed sign heard the young man dasl
through the corridor and down stairs
There was n sound of rafting glass
~, oltarca tion of voices n niStol shot